Oceaneering ROV
What does it take to become an Oceaneering ROV Pilot?
We hire people from a variety of backgrounds and then supplement their past experience with training that is specific to the ROV Systems that we manufacture and operate. A new hire employee with no previous ROV experience will receive thorough training in our Training School before going offshore. We look for people that have Technical Training of Industry Experience in some Mechanical, Electronic or Electrical discipline.
How many people make up an ROV Crew?
The usual ROV crew consists of 3 technicians. The crew is made up of a Supervisor, Mechanical Technician and Electrical Technician and they generally work a 12 hour shift followed by 12 hours off.
ROV Pilot
Where does Oceaneering operate their ROVs?
Oceaneering ROVs mainly work in the deepwater offshore Oil and Gas industry around the world.
Can you describe what the challenges are to ROV Operations?
The ROV crew operates highly technical equipment in a remote location (Rig or Vessel) under sometimes harsh environmental conditions. They execute tasks ranging from simple video monitoring to highly complex tooling interfacing and inspection tasks. The equipment is technically diverse and requires broad knowledge and training to perform the work scope and keep the equipment operational. The work type will also determine the required skill level of the crew. Construction and Completions work requires previous knowledge that comes from experience. The more remote the location is the higher the training and experience level is needed to compensate for stretched SCM support as well as poor communications which can cut the crew off from Technical Support.
ROV Maintenance
How many work-class ROV systems does Oceaneering Operate?
As of April 2013, Oceaneering operates over 280 work-class ROV systems.
What is the most important part of the ROV?
The Crew. The purpose of the ROV is to perform a task. The ROV is the means of getting to and from the task location. The Pilot “flies” the ROV and operates the Manipulator and/or Specialized Tooling to complete the assigned task.
Who designs Oceaneering’s ROVs?
The Oceaneering ROV design is based on feedback from our over 2,000 offshore ROV Technicians and our many Customers. We also do extensive failure analysis and analysis on repair time.
ROV Manufacturing
What is the difference between a Tophat and a Cage? Which is better?
Both types are called Tether Management Systems (TMS) and are used to deploy the ROV from the surface to the working depth. A TMS is used to pay the Tether in and out when the ROV reaches working depth. The TMS has Lighting, an Electronic Control system, Cameras and an Electro-Hydraulic system to power the Tether Drum and Latch the ROV during deployment. The majority of Oceaneering systems are Side Entry Cage type but nearly 20% of our over 260 systems are Tophat Deployed. A Side Entry Cage can best be described as a Box that the ROV is parked inside of while it is raised and lowered in the water column. A Tophat sits on top of the ROV and does not encase the ROV as a Side Entry Cage does. We have found that the Side Entry Cage systems have less downtime associated with Tether and Umbilical failures than Tophat systems. The Side Entry Cage is our TMS of choice.
Are Oceaneering ROVs different than ROVs operated by other companies?
For the most part, ROVs tend to be very similar. Most ROVs operated by Oceaneering have redundancies built into to them such as Dual Independent Electro-Hydraulic power trains that enable the ROV to continue working in the event of failure to one of the power trains to the ROV. Most competing ROVs only have a single Electro Hydraulic power train.
Does a pilot sit in the ROV to fly it?
No, an ROV is controlled by pilots at the surface via a tether.
